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Metatarsalgia – A Pain in the Ball of the Foot

Metatarsalgia is a symptom of other conditions and not a specific disease. For example, the pain in the ball of the foot is a symptom of overuse of the foot while running or participating in high-impact sports.

Five metatarsal bones run down the middle of the foot from the toes to the ankle. When one of the nerves between these metatarsals becomes inflamed, an acute pain develops in the ball of the upper foot region, which is referred to as metatarsalgia.

What conditions cause metatarsalgia?

Standing for a long time on hard floors or ground

Foot injuries

Rigid or poorly fitting shoes

Stress fractures

Running

Deformities of the feet

Morton’s neuroma

Arthritis or a bunion in the big toe

Obesity

Degeneration of the foot bones and pads

Symptoms of metatarsalgia:

Intense burning pain in the ball of the foot

A pain which gets worse when standing on a hard surface, running or while flexing the foot

Numbness and tingling in the toes

A constant feeling of walking on pebbles

Formation of a callus under the inflamed joint due to pressure

To help cure pedal problems of the major or minor kind, a podiatrist needs a compassionate nature, experience and a dedication to improve the quality of life of his patients. Our podiatrist, Dr. Ryan L. D’Amico at Syracuse Podiatry has all these qualities and more. He is board certified and specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery with a special interest in diabetic foot care. Dr. D’Amico suggests the following treatment for metatarsalgia.

Syracuse Podiatry is located in Fayetteville, NY in the Syracuse area. We carry state-of-the-art techniques in foot and ankle care to get you back on your feet. If you suspect you have a foot problem and specifically metatarsalgia, don’t hesitate to call us at (315) 446-3668 and schedule an appointment.